The Gospel According To Matthew
1. The Author of the Book - Matthew = “Gift of Jehovah”. He was …
A. … a Hebrew, from the tribe of Levi (Mk 2:14; Lu 5:27)
B. … a tax-collector (Mat 9:9; Lu 3:12-13; 19:8)
C. … personally called to be a disciple by Jesus (Mat 9:9)
D. … probably wealthy (Lu 5:27-28)
E. … ordained by Jesus as an Apostle (Mat 10:3; Mk 3:14-19)
F. …very hospitable (Mat 9:10-11)
G. … twice commissioned to preach the Gospel:
· to Israel (Mat 10:5-7);
· to the world (Mat 28:18-20)
H. … with the other Apostles in the upper room awaiting the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:13-14)
2. The Recipients of the Book
A. Oft repeated references to the OT prophesies indicate that Matthew wrote specifically to the Jews.
B. Matthew was originally written in Hebrew, and later translated into Greek.
3. The Date & Place of Writing
A. Date - Seems to have been written before 70 AD, since the destruction of Jerusalem is spoken of as a yet future event. Probably between 50 - 70 AD.
B. Place - Tradition places the writing in Antioch.
4. The Purpose of the Book
A. To present Christ as the fulfillment of the OT messianic prophesies (Mat 1:22-23; 2:6,15,18; 4:15-16; 8:17; 9:13; 10:35; 11:10,29; 12:7,18,21; 13:14,15; 15:8-9; 21:5; 24:15; 27:9).
B. To present Jesus as the rejected King of the Jews (Mat 23:37)
5. Keys to the Book
A. Key Words:
· Fulfilled - 17 times
· Kingdom of Heaven - 33 times
B. Key Verses - Mat 1:1; 5:17; 23:37-39
6. Special Features of the Book
A. More than 60 OT references enables Matthew to serve as a “swinging door” connecting the two Testaments.
B. The Gospel of Discourses:
· John’s message of repentance (3:1-12)
· Sermon on the Mount (5:1 - 7:29)
· The Commission (10:1-42)
· The Kingdom Parables (13:1-52)
· The meaning of forgiveness ((18:1-35)
· “Woe” to the hypocrites (23:1-39)
· Olivet discourse (24:1 - 25:46)
· Great Commission (28:18-20)
C. Only Gospel which mentions the Church by name (16:18; 18:17)
D. The Gospel of the King:
· “Kingdom” mentioned 50 times
· His genealogy follows the line of King David (1:1-17)
· Jesus was born King of the Jews (2:2)
· Kingly entrance into Jerusalem (21:1-11)
· Predicted He would sit on the throne in Glory (25:31)
· Inscription over His cross - “Jesus, King of the Jews” (27:37)
E. Only Matthew uses the term “Kingdom of heaven”
7. The Outline of the Book
A. The Preparation for Jesus the King (1:1- 2:23)
B. The Presentation of Jesus the King (3:1 - 4:25)
C. The Preaching of Jesus the King (5:1- 7:29)
D. The Power of Jesus the King (8:1- 9:34)
E. The Plan of Jesus the King (9:31- 10:42)
F. The Problems facing Jesus the King (11:1-12:50)
G. The Parables of Jesus the King (13:1 -58)
H. The Prerogatives of Jesus the King (14:1- 16:28)
I. The Previews of Jesus the King (17:1- 18:35)
J. The Program of Jesus the King (19:1- 23:39)
K. The Promise of Jesus the King (24:1- 25:46)
L. The Passion of Jesus the King (26:1- 28:20)
